Guidance for prospective students with disabilities

Educational institutions have a duty under the Equality Act (2010) to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable disabled people to study effectively.

The University makes some adjustments in anticipation of disabled students’ support requirements (e.g. improving physical access to buildings), but we appreciate that individuals are different and further changes may need to be considered and implemented.

Any disability disclosure will be dealt with confidentially and sensitively and will  not influence the admissions process. Your application will be assessed solely on academic merit. If you tell us what difficulties you anticipate, then we can discuss appropriate solutions.  Adjustments can be made and support requirements taken into consideration during the interview process if necessary.

The systems for supporting disabled students at Oxford may be different from those that you have experienced at school, college or other universities. 

Study support is developed around your individual requirements, which means that you have a say in what equipment or learning support will be most helpful to you, but you also have responsibility for thinking about and letting us know what you will need.  This can be difficult as it is not always easy to know what life at the University is going to be like before you get here.  However, there are a lot of people who can help you through the process and contacting the Disability Advisory Service is a good starting point. 

It will help you to plan properly and get things in place before your arrival, so you can get on with enjoying student life and all it has to offer.

If you make a successful application and are offered a place, it is advisable to contact the Disability Advisory Service so that they can start to help you explore how the University and college will be able to meet your individual needs and, wherever possible, support systems can be established before you begin your course.

The Disability Advisory Service can also assist students with making an application for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)and can advise on the other funds available to those who don’t qualify for DSA (including Non-UK students).  It can take several months from the point of application before full support is implemented.  Therefore the earlier you apply the better.

> Disability Advisory Service

> Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

Non-UK students are not eligible for DSA.  However, the University is piloting a scheme which funds non-UK disabled student study support using the following breakdown of contribution (up to a level of £10,000 per student) towards disability related study support costs:

Overseas undergraduates          50% (college)   /   50% (department)

EU undergraduates                      35% (college)   /   65% (department)
 
This breakdown would be used where there is no funding available from the student's own country, funding body, sponsor, research council or other source.  The procedure for assessing an individual student’s study needs mirrors the UK student experience.

Clarendon scholars and other recipients of awards with a disability study support element would not be eligible.

If you have been allocated a college but it is not suitable due to a disability-related reason, you should initially discuss your requirements with the Disability Advisory Service who will be able to consult the college to establish whether reasonable adjustments can be made.  If the situation cannot be satisfactorily resolved you should contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office to request a change of college.  You will be required to provide supporting medical information about your disability.

It is advisable for all students considering applying to Oxford to come for an informal visit to view the colleges and department of your choice.  This will give you a good idea about the accessibility of buildings and other services, their proximity to your department where you will be living/studying, and will give you the chance to ask any questions relating to your support requirements.

The University provides several audio tours of Oxford, and you may also like to come to an official open day.  Both colleges and departments run open days, usually during late June or early July, and the middle of September.

You can also contact the Disability Advisory Service directly who will be able to coordinate a visit to the college, department and libraries you will be most likely to use.

> University open days

> Disability Advisory Service

Detailed information about access to specific buildings is available from individual colleges and departments and we recommend that you contact the Disability Advisory Service to arrange a visit to explore facilities and discuss your specific needs.

Most colleges provide rooms for undergraduates in their first year, and some can accommodate students in their second/third year.  Most colleges have a limited number of accessible / ground floor rooms with en-suite bathrooms.  You may need arrangements made for a carer, or require an adjustable desk and ergonomic seating.

If you wish to live in college we recommend that you organise a visit to look at the accommodation to establish whether any adaptations (temporary or permanent) are necessary.  This should be arranged via the Disability Advisory Service as soon as possible because adaptations can take a while to organise.  It may not always be possible to adapt a room to meet all your needs, but colleges are always willing to look at the possibilities.

The Land Agent's Department and Accommodation Office provides information about accommodation in the private sector for all students.  Students with partners or dependent children should contact the Office as soon as they have been accepted as University-owned accommodation may be available.

> Land Agent's Department and Accommodation Office